Pandemic restrictions change in Victoria

Health Minister Martin Foley has announced many pandemic restrictions in Victoria will lift on Friday, calling the move the "next big step". 

He said these measures are "sensible" and are based on Victoria's high vaccination rates.

As of 11.59pm Friday April 22 2022, the following changes will come into effect: 

• People will not be required to have two doses or show their vaccination status before entering venues.
• Requirements for staff and patrons to check in to venues using the Service Victoria App will end. Operators will no longer have to maintain records of attendance or maintain a check-in marshal. 
• Masks are no longer required in primary schools, early childhood settings, retail settings, or at events of any size. 
• Close contacts will no longer have to quarantine, provided they wear a mask indoors and avoid sensitive settings. Close contacts will also need to carry out five rapid antigen tests over the course of the seven days that they previously would have been in isolation. 
• All visitor restrictions in hospitals will be removed, except for mask requirements. Health services will be able to tailor their own settings based on their circumstances. 
• Events of 30,000 people will no longer require public health pre-approval. 
• International travelers who are symptom free will be recommended, but not required, to undertake a PCR or rapid antigen test on arrival. 
• Unvaccinated travelers will no longer complete seven days quarantine. Pre-departure tests for unvaccinated air crew will also be lifted.
• People will be exempt from testing or quarantining for 12 weeks if they have previously had COVID-19, up from the current eight weeks.
• People who contract COVID-19 will be required to notify their workplace contacts and social contacts. Workplaces will not have to notify individuals and each potentially exposed worker in an outbreak. 

For more information visit: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19